Legislation

How to find laws from any state

You can use a search engine like Google. Enter the name of the state and laws, for example, “Minnesota laws.” This takes you to several ways to get to the state’s statutes and they usually have a means of searching by key words or a statute number. In Minnesota, visit the state’s Statutes page and enter the numbers. You will get a copy of the law about that subject. An alternative search is with Cornell Law or PrairieNet.

Be aware that state departments of education often write regulations about how the law is to be implemented. For that information, contact the department for a copy of the procedures or how to find it on the web.

Even more innovative laws are in the works. Joe Graba and Ted Kolderie plan for new kinds of less-regulated schools accountable to parents. We plan to introduce at the next legislation session: to make area learning centers site based management programs with control over staffing, budget and program and another bill on alternative licensing provisions.

How to get bills introduced and passed

Talk to the chair of the education committee or a member of it about your ideas. If they like it, they will have a bill drafted and will introduce it. You can work to convince other legislators that it is good for kids. Another way is to have your state department of education introduce it as part of their legislative package. It helps to have a legislative consultant or lobbyist help with the process of getting laws introduced and passed.